Community Gardens

[Dogtown]

I wouldn't eat anything that came out of the ground at the Nu Maid site....

[Valley Cat]

A suggestion for next year - use the land around Nu-Maid if it isn't sold, for a community garden. Charge growers $20 or whatever (if it is free, they won't care about maintaining it). Mow, plow and till it this summer and sow something like clover as a winter cover crop (a good time to do this is late August or early September).

If one knows what he/she is doing, it's easily possible to grow enough peas, beans, tomatoes, peppers (bell, banana and hot) and potatoes to last a family of four for two year. Plus have fresh lettuce, mustard greens, spinach, broccoli and other stuff to eat during the growing season - all on a 20x50' plot.

Of course, I am into gardening and maximizing production! 

Mike

[Don T.]

Nice article in todays paper about urban gardens.

[StAndyBernard]

StAB,

I can see the benefit of zoning laws. What if Don wanted to allow a garbage dump, ala Rumpke Mountain, there? But I do believe agricultural is a protected industry and if Don wanted to fight it, the city would lose. But in all honesty, driving past the area the last couple of days, it looks like the only veggy that may grow there is rice!

Mike

I'm a firm believer in the free market. Although a dump would stink (no pun intended) at first, the free market would eventually take care of it. If we must regulate land use, we should only enforce restrictions that actually have to do with the health-safety-and welfare of our citizens, as prescribed under the takings clause of the bill of rights. Land use controls that go beyond the health-safety-and-welfare are takings on their face. A garden does not effect the health, safety nor welfare of anyone around it. A dump does.

[Valley Cat]

StAB,

I can see the benefit of zoning laws. What if Don wanted to allow a garbage dump, ala Rumpke Mountain, there? But I do believe agricultural is a protected industry and if Don wanted to fight it, the city would lose. But in all honesty, driving past the area the last couple of days, it looks like the only veggy that may grow there is rice!

Mike

[StAndyBernard]

This is, at its base, an assault on the libertarian rights we are prescribed in the constitution.

Quite simply zoning did not exist before cities and governments. Why do they have a right to regulate what you can do with YOUR property?

[Valley Cat]

Tick,

I did grow sugar cane, or at least Mennonite Sorghum last year. Extremely sweet juice and the plants did surprisingly well!

Mike

[thetick]

come on...free the garden space....grow some corn or sugar cane....gotta do something about these high gas prices!...haha

[unhappy]

AMEN!!!!

[Valley Cat]

Sad is too kind. While Lockland is doing all it can to promote community gardens and the use of underused or unused lad in the village, St. Bernard goes the opposite way. It's almost like some people think it is beneath city (or village) status to have citizens who get dirty, sweat, breathe in fresh air and provide a bit of food for their families and/or friends or neighbors.

Because Linda cannot drive anymore, I deliver papers to the places in St. Bernard. Of course, I'm really into gardening, but I see Don's property, the Nu-Maid property and other places where nothing but weeds are growing. I cannot understand why the city or property owners would not use the land, as least temporarily, as a garden.

Perhaps Don, rather than offering it to the community to use, should just plant his own garden there. Or orchard, since trees are apparently allowed. Partner with SB Elementary and/or St. Clement to make it a learning experience. Would the city/village (whatever it is now!) cite him and face the outcry of Greenies (not the political party but people who believe in environmental improvements) who would rally around the idea? If Michelle Obama can have a garden on property that belongs ultimately to the citizens of the US, why can't he have one there? It's not like it is going to detract from the aesthetics of Vine St.!

Mike

[Duped]

Hey Don,

From what I have read about the transitional housing that VOA runs, you could probably get Federal Government subsidy to grow marijuana on your lot.  Seems that we are on the verge of building a rehabilitation facility for homeless veterans who have mental illness and substance abuse problems. You would actually be helping the cause by providing theraputic treatment for those people.  I'm sure that this would be a boon to the local fast food establishments too! 

[unhappy]

That's just crazy!   and very very sad!

[Don T.]

The Zoning board meet again tonight and DENIED my request for a community garden. Mr. Moeller stated that I can plant all the trees I want up there so I wonder if Tree Tomatoes count?

[unhappy]

For a garden?

[Don T.]

Yes I'm doing fine. Heart had to be shocked to get back in rhythm. I'm sure some folks didnot think I had a heart.I still cannot dance! Finally got my list of questions, one was about security cameras and barb wire fencing.